Teenagers and contraception.

Early sexual activity in young women has created new problems in contraception and gynecologic pathology for physicians. None of the existing birth control methods seems ideally adapted to the young: oran contraceptives, the only infallible method, may present adverse effects. Intrauterine devices may result in expulsion or infection. Diaphragms or spermicides are less effective and not always well accepted by young girls. The physician, however, must bear in mind that whatever inconvenience may result, birth control is always preferable to an unwanted pregnancy or to abortion. Given the seemingly growing incidence of veneral disease and of abnormalities of cervical cytology, physicians must exercise the utmost care and consider a birth control consultation by a young girl as a full medical act.